Multiple complex networks emerging from individual interactions

TL;DR

This paper models interactions between two species as complex networks, revealing how predator-prey dynamics lead to emergent organized states with distinct connectivity patterns, influenced by attraction and prey elimination.

Contribution

It introduces a novel network model based on individual interactions in predator-prey systems, showing how complex network structures emerge from these dynamics.

Findings

Gaussian strength distribution in predator networks

Scale-free-like strength distribution in prey networks

Prey elimination influences network connectivity and species survival

Abstract

Systems composed of distinct complex networks are present in many real-world environments, from society to ecological systems. In the present paper, we propose a network model obtained as a consequence of interactions between two species (e.g. predator and prey). Fields are produced and sensed by the individuals, defining spatio-temporal patterns which are strongly affected by the attraction intensity between individuals from the same species. The dynamical evolution of the system, including the change of individuals between different clusters, is investigated by building two complex networks having the individuals as nodes. In the first network, the edge weight is given by the Euclidean distance between every two individuals and, in the case of the second network, by the amount of time two individuals stay close one another. A third network is obtained from the two previous networks whose nodes correspond to the spatially congruent groups. The system evolves to an organized state where Gaussian and scale-free-like strength distributions emerge, respectively, in the predator and prey networks. Such a different connectivity is mainly a consequence of preys elimination. Some configurations favor the survival of preys or higher efficiency of predator activity.